Tuesday, April 27, 2010

I had a bunch of Altoid containers and I read once that you could burn them in a fireplace and it takes the paint off and makes them look old. We have a fireplace outside and so of course I had to try it! I let them burn and cool down and then I washed them out. Then I took pretty paper and ran it through my Xyron machine to give it an adhesive backing. I applied the paper to the cover of the boxes and then embellished them.I made this little set by taking an old playing cards box, an embellished tin box and a little journal, and attached them all together.Here is what it looks like opened.Here is one made for sewing. I made a tiny needle & thread holder on the left and filled the box with little scraps of fabric, lace, buttons and what-not. I like to carry it in my purse (I really carry a back-pack)so I can do little projects whenever I have a spare moment.

Sunday, April 25, 2010

I have spent three of the last six months becoming a "Highly Qualified" art teacher.I had to take 2 methods classes and pass the Arizona Profeciency Art Exam. Needless to say, I was very busy studying and a little stressed out! On top of that I had ourschool art show to do two days before my test and I had to make 100 cow horns for our Gold Rush Day's Parade 10 days after that. The next three weeks I was waiting for the results of my exam.Yes, I passed! Miricles really do happen!!Now I needed to play, so I ran a relay marathon with some teachers from school.I was a minute slower than last year, but I only ran 4 times to prepare for it, so that's what I get.Then my birthday came in March so I made myself a new journal for the upcoming year.This journal is like a mini keepsake for important or fun things that come up. (Like passing my test!)Here is one of my March journal entries.Now life is getting back to normal. Time to sew and stitch. Here are some recycled bags I made with bits of whatever I could find.This was a Trader Joe bag. Front and back.This was a Saks Fifth Avenue bag my friend gave me for camping. Now I can put all kinds of stuff in it!That's it for today! I really hope things stay quiet for awhile because I have somany projects to do. Check back soon!